About the species
Among the tortoises kept in Slovenian and Croatian terrariums, the Russian tortoise is by far the smallest, and also the most popular choice for anyone getting their first tortoise. It comes from the steppes and semi-deserts of Central Asia - from the Caspian coast through Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to western China - where it adapted to large temperature swings between summer and winter.
How to recognise it
The most reliable sign is the number of claws: the Russian tortoise has only four claws on each front foot, while the Greek, Hermann's and most other tortoises have five. Its shell is lower and rounder than a Greek or Hermann's tortoise's, and the colour is usually olive to yellowish-brown, without a strong black-and-yellow pattern. Females grow somewhat larger than males, which have longer tails.
Terrarium, temperature and humidity
As a steppe species, the Russian tortoise tolerates much drier air than its Mediterranean relatives - humidity of around 40-50% usually suits it, while the Greek or Hermann's tortoise need it higher. The basking zone should be around 35°C, with a cooler zone between 21 and 27°C; at night it tolerates cooler temperatures than most other tortoises. Substrate should be deep enough (at least a few centimetres) for the animal to dig into, which is natural, important behaviour for this species rather than just a quirk. UVB lighting is just as essential as for other tortoises.
Burrowing and long brumation
In the wild, the Russian tortoise digs burrows that can reach roughly two metres deep, retreating into them to escape heat, cold or drought. It spends part of the year - by some accounts anywhere from about two months to as long as nine, depending on climate - in dormancy (brumation). That is considerably longer than the dormancy period of Mediterranean tortoises, so keepers planning hibernation should treat this as a natural habit rather than a sign of illness.
Diet
Diet is similar to other tortoises - the focus should be on fibrous wild greens, grasses and calcium-rich leafy vegetables, with fruit only a rare treat because of its high sugar content.
Is it really a beginner species?
Among tortoises, the Russian tortoise genuinely counts as one of the easier ones for a beginner - it is smaller, tolerates a wider humidity range and is fairly hardy. That does not make it undemanding: it still needs UVB, proper hibernation and a terrarium that grows with it, and the commitment lasts decades. Unlike the Greek or Hermann's tortoise, which fall under the stricter Annex A, the Russian tortoise, according to available sources, falls under the less strict Annex B of the EU's wildlife trade regulation, meaning private owners generally do not need the same ARSO registration required for a Greek tortoise - even so, we recommend checking the animal's origin and any documentation needed at the time of purchase.
Health and common problems
As with other tortoises, most problems stem from a lack of UVB and calcium (risking shell softening) and from an environment that is too damp or too cold, which raises the risk of respiratory infections. Because this species is adapted to dry air, the bigger risk for it is often over-humidifying the terrarium rather than under-humidifying it.
Temperament
lively, curious, active, independent, hardy
Suitable for
beginners and families wanting a less demanding tortoise
Living environment
indoor terrarium with deep, diggable substrate; no garden required
Grooming
UVB, dry diggable substrate, long brumation; less humidity than Mediterranean tortoises
Pros & cons
Advantages of the species
easier care than Mediterranean tortoises, smaller and suited to a smaller terrarium, hardy species for beginners
Things to consider
long yearly dormancy period called brumation, needs dry diggable substrate, a long-lived animal needing a lifelong commitment
Notes
The Russian tortoise is the smallest of the tortoises commonly kept in our region, and the only one with four claws on each front foot instead of five. According to available sources, under the EU wildlife trade regulation it falls under the less strict Annex B (unlike the Greek or Hermann's tortoise, which are Annex A), so private owners generally do not need the same ARSO registration - we still recommend checking the animal's origin and any documentation needed at purchase. In the wild it overwinters for much longer than Mediterranean tortoises, by some accounts up to nine months a year.
